Architect of Ragin’ Cajuns Softball Honored with Unveiling of Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park

Click here for the Athletic Network Tribute to Coach Yvette Girouard – scroll down to view Living Memorials written by former players, coaches, administrators, and others. 

Click here for post-game video of Yvette Girouard and Dan McDonald with Yvette describing her reaction to the surprise of the softball field being named the "Yvette Girouard Field." 

LAFAYETTE – The architect of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball, Yvette Girouard, will have her name inscribed in one more location in Lafayette, Louisiana, after a coaching career that saw her claim numerous marks in the program’s record book. Announced on Friday, the home of the Ragin’ Cajuns will be known as Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
 
Girouard, who founded the tradition-rich program herself in 1981, compiled a remarkable 758-251 coaching record leading Louisiana to attain status as the school’s all-time winningest head coach. The Ragin’ Cajuns advanced to three Women’s College World Series (1993, 1995, 1996) under her watch, making 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, overall (1990-97; 1999-2000).
 
"As the original architect of Ragin’ Cajuns Softball, Yvette Girouard built one of the all-time great softball programs across the entire nation," Director of Athletics Bryan Maggard said. "The standard for excellence she cultivated during her 20 years leading Louisiana remains as the benchmark at which we annually set our sights. She coached 13 Academic All-Americans, which shows her total commitment to the overall student-athlete experience. This naming is the most deserving way we can honor Yvette for all she has done for the University, the community and the sport of softball. From this day forward, Cajun Nation will cheer for Louisiana Softball on Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park."
 
A Louisiana Athletics Hall of Fame inductee in 2018, Girouard was twice named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Coach of the Year, earning the honor in both 1990 and 1993. Her national reputation was well earned, as she coached the Ragin’ Cajuns to three 50-win seasons, seven 40-win seasons and six Top-10 national poll finishes. An outstanding 28 All-America honors were awarded to Ragin’ Cajuns under Girouard’s tutelage, as well as 13 Academic All-Americans.
 
"Coach Girouard is a highly respected coach and leader, both in her hometown area and throughout the softball world," Louisiana Softball head coach Gerry Glasco said. "She is arguably one of the most successful coaches in the history of our sport. To honor that great success, and the notoriety she created and instilled in our program as its architect, is a great privilege and the honor of a lifetime."
 
A streak that has continued rolling to this day, Girouard’s program accumulated 19 consecutive winning seasons from 1982-2000. Glasco’s squad stretched that streak to Louisiana’s 37th-straight winning campaign last season.
 
Girouard was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in 2005. She was selected to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in the organization’s 2015 class.